In the end, Alec did manage to find his way back to the main gates of Hearts. The people at the hospital were very kind to him and gave him directions through the winding streets of the kingdom. He couldn't help but ask about the hearts and numbers every one of them had tattooed on their right cheek. They simply told him it was because they were Cards, whatever that meant. Alec mentally noted to ask someone about that.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIDuO3v7h2

When Alec reached the busy town square again, he was almost immediately shoved to the floor by passersby. Only a hand grabbing his upper arm kept him from crashing to the stone floor.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSMI51Fh6Q

"Are you alright?" Peter asked, worry written across his face. He was dressed in another vest, this one grey, red, and white, over another white button down, and a pair of dark grey slacks. His white ears were stood up to attention, stiff but still seemingly soft to the touch. Alec faintly wondered if Peter's ears, as well as Jasper's and Chester's, were like the real animals'. He knew cat ears were soft and silky but he wondered about rabbit and hare ears.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaOZHUZd3M

"Are those seriously real?" Alec blurted out. He slapped his hand over his mouth and blushed in embarrassment, trying to backpedal. "I didn't—I mean, I was just…I'm sorry."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHa9qfb5xi

Peter chuckled, "It is no worry, Alec. My ears are as real as Wonderland."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLtKLbEKoH

I'm still sometimes debating that, Alec thought to himself. Out loud he said, "I'm still sorry, I kind of just blurted that out. But anyway, where were you headed?"copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ21GSkHcL

"Back to the palace, Her Majesty needs my presence for a meeting she is to have. Why don't you accompany me? I can show you the palace once my business is done."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzsaJSpUXW

Alec nodded and the two set off towards the Palace of Hearts. As they walked, Alec asked Peter about the Cards and learned that Cards were the peasants of Wonderland. They all had a tattoo of their suit, which kingdom they were from, under their right cheek and a number in white ranging from one to ten. The Named – Peter, Jasper, the twins, and so on – were the higher class, kings and queens obviously being at the highest possible level. It was a very simple hierarchy: Cards, Named, Kings and Queens.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTIHDuSieh

They soon arrived at the sparkling gates of the palace and passed through into the lush garden. Alec marveled at the manicured hedges that were shaped into large leafy hearts and the various marble fountains that were laid at the corners, a bigger much more elaborate one set in the center.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL02NHU8p7

Alec followed Peter into the palace and kept up with him through the white marbled corridors with velvet drapes hanging between the pillars at the tall walls.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpGmzqeZkc

The speed walk soon turned into a jog and then an all out sprint, and Alec was having difficulty keeping up. Soon enough, the two burst through a set of familiar double doors and Peter pulled them to a complete stop.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡp19q4W8Y4x

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Peter bowed, not even hinting at being out of breath while Alec wheezed and panted beside him.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YWMkvczux

"You've brought Alec!" Reina chirped, but Alec noted something off about her tone. While it seemed she was genuinely happy that Alec had shown up, there was still this edge in her voice. "Come, we were just about to start."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq5S5lCdtE

Peter pulled Alec towards the throne and Alec took notice of the group of three Cards that were stood between two guards in front of the steps leading up to the throne platform. They were all brunets, two men and a woman. The woman was a Four, one man was an Eight, and the other a Five. They were on their knees, hands restrained in front of them with silver handcuffs that Alec had learned were very uncomfortable.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTGKkKHsIM

Reina looked as regal and beautiful as she did the previous day as she sat in her throne. Her dress was of red silk that fell to her black ballet flat clad feet. It was sleeveless but there were two bands of ruffled black lace around her upper arms. Her crimson locks were set in a single braid that went over her left shoulder and a silver tiara with a single heart-shaped ruby embedded at the center sat nestled within the locks.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OKWA5sNEW

"Alec! How are you?" Reina asked once Alec was stood to her left. Peter was at her right and reading through a few papers.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqnqjsMVGg

"Uh, good. You?" Alec returned. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to address her and hesitantly added, "Your Majesty."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh9g2u0JXJ

The Queen of Hearts waved his formality off, "You needn't address us so formally, Alec."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXxgT8lmV0

"Oh, alright. How are you…Reina?" He was still hesitant, remembering the temper of the Queen from the books and movies.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgqGHK9tGP

Reina's red, red lips curved into a grin, yet Alec still felt as though something were off, "We are marvelous, dear Alec. But, we must deal with these criminals. It will only take a moment. Peter, read their charges."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg7TwanxTk

"Yes, Your Majesty," Peter said and began to read off the paper. "Four of Hearts, you are charged with leaving cigarette butts in alleys. Five of Hearts, you are charged with dropping a dinner set and breaking a plate and a wine glass. Eight of Hearts, you are charged with cutting the hedges in the back gardens three point seven centimeters too short."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqiOGcW2yS

"What?" Alec exclaimed in disbelief, eyes wide as he looked to Reina.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R9tyQeHkU

Reina sighed, "We know, we know. How can such disastrous mistakes be made? But they shall be punished, so you have not a thing to worry about, dear Alec."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3aEXHOleI

"But—"copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv8YjPagRJ

"Hush! It's time for the sentencing!" Reina interrupted. "Off with their heads!"copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UAio89CQt

Everyone looked to him in surprise.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQlmxnRXdH

"They just made small mistakes," he continued, trying to reason with Reina who was frowning at him. "Everyone makes mistakes, there's no need to deliver such a harsh punishment."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLeKsJeZpY

Reina pouted, "But, Alec."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOSHO4oWqI

Alec almost caved but then he caught sight of the three Cards who were looking at him hopefully and his resolve strengthened, "I'll never forgive you, Reina."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfzgB7Ds4Q

Reina huffed and crossed her arms over her chest as she sulked, "Fine. They are free to go."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFCpp48D4y

No one seemed to believe it but after Reina snapped at the guards, the handcuffs came off and the three bowed deeply, thanking Reina for her mercy, and left the throne room.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrmu9ayx7Z

"Guards, dismissed. You too, Peter. Alec and we shall be going for a walk. Come, Alec." Reina jumped out of her throne and grabbed Alec's hand, dragging the boy out the throne room.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtFnS5s1Jw

"Where are we going?" Alec asked. Reina walked slower than Peter, so he wasn't completely falling behind and managed to match the Queen's pace. Her grip though was slightly more painful, her manicure nails dug into his skin.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlYWQ77pFe

"Out, we are going to walk through our kingdom," she replied.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVgCKysHtL

They exited the palace into the dusk, the sudden change jarring Alec slightly as he followed Reina into the front gardens.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡHffnD7t58c

"I forgot about the shifts," he muttered. He had the slight suspicion that Reina was angry, or at least stressed. Her hold on his hand was stiff, her body rigid, and she wasn't walking with an elegant step he had seen the day they took a trip to visit Alistair.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIyBEoJLOo

"Are you alright? Did I do something wrong?" Alec asked as they left the palace grounds.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcjgP4OiMi

Reina sighed, "No, you did nothing wrong. We just…" Reina pulled Alec to a bench that was on the sidewalk, Cards just passing them by, after stopping to smile at the Queen of course.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uyiRbqkhz

Alec sat down beside her and wasn't sure what to say or do. He settled on saying, "I've got ears, they're not long and floppy, but they serve the same purpose. I still stand by my actions though. Beheading someone for such trivial matters is not justice. Lives aren't something to be tossed away."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUh6vWveHj

Reina raised a crimson brow at him, "Lives? What in Wonderland are you talking about?"copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHwWXl1MEN

It was Alec's turn to be confused. "You were going to behead innocent people."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IhC19Oru5

"Yes, it is a standard punishment in Hearts."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12Zj8vfDJX

"Oh, Alec, Alec, Alec. Dear Alec. You seem to have misunderstood us. We do not actually behead anyone. Too much blood. In Hearts, every person has a doll made to their very likeness and when they displease us, their doll is beheaded and put up on display to show that they have wronged the queen, us."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrkNSr0slE

Reina nodded, "Yes, dolls. It is too tedious to say off with their doll's head, I much prefer off with their head!"copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HALxTIZ10

"It does have a ring to it," Alec muttered, trying to get his thoughts sorted. This Queen of Hearts was clearly quite different from the ones he knew. He still wondered about her temper though. "But surely small mistakes needn't deserve such punishments?"copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡQErbrjCsMY

Reina sighed and slumped back into the bench, tossing her head back to stare at the dusty sky that was lightly sprinkled with a few shining stars. "We may have…a bit of stress in our life. We tend to take it out in beheadings."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jkrWHKOAh

"What are you stressed about?" Alec wondered. He knew there was something off.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJZ9vw2dw4

"A prince from Diamonds wishes to marry us, but we do not wish to be married nor do we wish to become part of a collection. The prince has three wives already and last we heard, six concubines."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡenIGza0bCM

Alec twiddled his thumbs before saying, "You're really good at controlling your expressions. I wouldn't have been able to guess that you were so stressed."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtEpadzapc

Reina dropped her head to rest on Alec's shoulder. "As queen we must always appear in control."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyW2384f5U

"Still, you shouldn't take out your stress on others, especially your unsuspecting subjects. Perhaps you need to find another way to vent."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jkywTzhvP

"Such as?" Reina turned her head to look at Alec, her red eyes wide.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡycjcBtqaDP

Alec shrugged, "You could keep a journal and rant-write. That way you're getting your emotions across and out."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAojCssGHx

Reina stayed silent and looked back towards the passersby, seeming to think his words over.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJRVinOSEk

"Okay," she finally said when Alec was beginning to worry.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdw0q7tQi6

"Huh?"copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGG5ZjxsZe

Reina smiled and this one, Alec noted, reached her sparkling red eyes. "We shall keep a journal, as you said, to vent. It sounds like a marvelous idea. Thank you, Alec."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AYRvgfk8U

Alec couldn't help but gently pat Reina's head, being careful not to jostle her tiara, "No problem, Reina. If you ever need to talk to someone, I'll be glad to do so while I'm here."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP7bQxjjoC

Reina grinned and reached up to place an innocent peck on Alec's cheek, "You are so sweet and kind, dear Alec. Unfortunately we must return to the palace. Thank you again, dear Alice."copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4i79iqGLq

"Bye, Reina. I'll see you around," Alec smiled. They both got to their feet and Reina surprised Alec with a hug and another peck on the cheek before she strolled back towards the palace, her elegant gait returned.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL1UCwaRRj

Alec began to head towards the town square again with directions he had asked for. The Cards were all very friendly and helpful he was noticing.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx9TJZq2jO

It wasn't until he was walking down a street with various clothing stores did he feel a burning sensation at his wrist.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJTYR2ghJ1

He brought his right hand up to inspect what was causing the irritation, and gaped at the sight.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFMJzpgKh7

Right before his very eyes, one of the links of his charmless charm bracelet was glowing a hot orange-yellow and exuding heat. It was melting. The light emitted quickly became too much for his eyes to handle and he looked away. Once he could no longer feel the heat, Alec slowly looked back to his wrist and was astonished to see that his charmless charm bracelet wasn't so charmless anymore. Connected to the link that had been glowing and melting was now a silver heart with a golden crown that sat on an angle around the top of the heart.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43FdWodnrw

"What is going on?" Alec wondered as he cautiously held the new charm. He couldn't see any possible way that the charm was connected to his bracelet and he questioned why it suddenly appeared. He concluded it had no doubt had something to do with Reina. It was a heart with a crown! In some way, he was certain that it had something to do with the Queen of Hearts. He was also certain of another little fact. He had yet to have a bite of anything to eat and was absolutely starving.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6g4477loR